Community adaptation efforts after extreme weather events

The scientific community largely concurs that a link exists between climate change and the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. Moreover, scholars and activists alike contend that extreme weather... [ view full abstract ]

The scientific community largely concurs that a link exists between climate change and the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. Moreover, scholars and activists alike contend that extreme weather events may provide the best opportunity for changing public awareness, and perhaps action, about climate change. By undertaking a systematic comparative case analysis of 15 communities that experienced extreme weather events in the United States between 2012 and 2015, we seek to understand under what conditions and via what mechanisms communities undertake significant climate-related actions following an extreme weather event. Results indicate that such events have a limited impact on either climate change awareness or action. Other factors are often blamed: the Snohomish County landslide was attributed to unstable geology, timber clear cuts, and poor land use planning; the Yavapai County wildfire to natural cycles and limited forest management. And, while the Boulder flooding case appears to have sparked discussions about climate change and some policy change, it has done so more through reinforcing existing beliefs in a community well-versed in the problem and well-resourced to respond. These results have interesting implications for mobilizing action on climate change.